LIVING IN PEACE

LIVING IN PEACE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 7:15

Key Verse: “But God hath called us to peace.” — 1 Corinthians 7:15 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18; Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:1-3; Colossians 3:12-15; Hebrews 12:14; James 3:17-18

Description: Living in peace means allowing God's peace to govern our hearts, relationships, homes, churches, and decisions while refusing unnecessary conflict, bitterness, and strife.

INTRODUCTION

Peace is one of God's desires for His children. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul was addressing believers who were facing difficult situations in marriage, particularly where one spouse was a believer and the other was not. He instructed them not to abandon their marriages merely because of the unbelieving partner, provided the unbelieving spouse was willing to live with them. However, if the unbelieving spouse chose to leave, the believer was not to be enslaved to the situation, because God has called His people to peace.

Living in peace does not mean that Christians will never experience disagreements, opposition, or difficult relationships. Rather, it means that we refuse to become people of strife. Peace is a condition of the heart and a lifestyle that seeks reconciliation, wisdom, patience, and godly solutions even when circumstances are challenging.

As believers, we are called to become peacemakers. Our homes should experience peace, our churches should promote peace, our ministries should model peace, and our relationships should reflect the peace of Christ. Where possible, we must do everything within our power to live peaceably with others.

1. UNDERSTAND THAT GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO PEACE

Peace is not merely a personality trait; it is part of God's calling for the believer.

a) Peace Is God's Desire For His Children (1 Corinthians 7:15)
Paul clearly states that God has called believers to peace. Therefore, we should not deliberately cultivate strife and hostility.

b) Christ Is Our Source Of Peace (Ephesians 2:14)
Jesus is our peace. Through Him, we have been reconciled to God and empowered to pursue reconciliation with others.

c) Let Peace Rule Your Heart (Colossians 3:15)
Believers must allow the peace of Christ to govern their attitudes, decisions, and responses.

d) Pursue Peace Deliberately (Psalm 34:14)
Peace does not always happen automatically. Scripture commands us to seek peace and pursue it.

Biblical Example: Abraham chose peace when conflict arose between his herdsmen and Lot's herdsmen, saying, “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee” (Genesis 13:8).

2. BECOME A PEACEMAKER

Jesus did not merely call His followers to enjoy peace; He called them to make peace.

a) Blessed Are The Peacemakers (Matthew 5:9)
Jesus declared that peacemakers are blessed and shall be called the children of God.

b) Build Bridges Instead Of Walls (Ephesians 4:3)
Believers should work to preserve unity rather than create unnecessary barriers between people.

c) Help Others Find Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18)
God has entrusted believers with the ministry of reconciliation. We should help restore relationships where possible.

d) Refuse To Fuel Conflict (Proverbs 26:20)
When people stop feeding disputes with gossip, insults, accusations, and retaliation, conflicts can lose their power.

Biblical Example: Abigail intervened wisely between David and Nabal and prevented a violent conflict from escalating (1 Samuel 25:23-35).

3. CONTROL YOUR WORDS

Many conflicts begin or become worse because of careless words. Peace requires disciplined speech.

a) Speak Softly (Proverbs 15:1)
A gentle response can calm anger, while harsh words can intensify conflict.

b) Be Slow To Speak (James 1:19)
Listening before responding prevents many unnecessary misunderstandings.

c) Refuse Gossip (Proverbs 16:28)
Gossip can separate close friends and destroy relationships.

d) Speak Words That Build (Ephesians 4:29)
Our words should minister grace and strengthen those who hear us.

Biblical Example: Gideon's gentle response prevented further conflict with the men of Ephraim (Judges 8:1-3).

4. LIVE PEACEABLY WITH OTHERS

Peace requires intentional effort, especially when dealing with difficult people.

a) Do Your Best To Live In Peace (Romans 12:18)
Paul says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” We are responsible for our own conduct even when others do not cooperate.

b) Be Patient With People (Ephesians 4:2)
Humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance help preserve peaceful relationships.

c) Forgive Offences (Colossians 3:13)
Unforgiveness creates barriers to peace. Believers should forgive as Christ has forgiven them.

d) Refuse Revenge (Romans 12:19)
We should leave vengeance in God's hands rather than becoming consumed by retaliation.

Biblical Example: Joseph chose forgiveness instead of revenge against his brothers despite the serious wrong they had committed against him (Genesis 50:19-21).

5. LET PEACE GOVERN YOUR FAMILY

Peace should begin in our homes because our closest relationships often reveal our true character.

a) Honour One Another (Romans 12:10)
Mutual honour helps create an atmosphere where unnecessary conflict is reduced.

b) Practise Patient Communication (Proverbs 15:1)
Family members should learn to discuss difficult matters without insults, threats, or contempt.

c) Forgive Quickly (Ephesians 4:26-27)
Unresolved anger can create opportunities for greater conflict. We should not allow anger to remain unchecked.

d) Pray For Your Household (Joshua 24:15)
A home that intentionally honours God creates an environment where peace can flourish.

Biblical Example: Isaac and Abimelech experienced serious tension, but eventually chose a peaceful covenant rather than allowing conflict to continue (Genesis 26:26-31).

6. PROMOTE PEACE IN THE CHURCH

The church should be one of the greatest demonstrations of God's peace in the world.

a) Maintain The Unity Of The Spirit (Ephesians 4:3)
Unity requires humility, patience, love, and intentional effort.

b) Avoid Strife And Division (Philippians 2:14)
Believers should do things without murmuring and disputing.

c) Pursue What Builds Others Up (Romans 14:19)
Our words and actions should contribute to peace and spiritual growth.

d) Restore Those Who Fall (Galatians 6:1)
Correction should aim at restoration rather than humiliation or destruction.

Biblical Example: The early church deliberately addressed disputes and disagreements so that the work of God could continue without unnecessary division (Acts 6:1-7).

7. KNOW THAT PEACE REQUIRES WISDOM

Biblical peace is not weakness or the avoidance of every difficult conversation. It is the product of godly wisdom.

a) Godly Wisdom Is Peaceable (James 3:17)
James describes wisdom from above as pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, and full of mercy.

b) Know When To Speak And When To Be Silent (Ecclesiastes 3:7)
Wisdom recognises that there is an appropriate time for both speaking and remaining silent.

c) Confront Wrong With Love (Matthew 18:15)
Peace does not require ignoring genuine problems. Appropriate confrontation can prevent greater damage.

d) Know When To Walk Away From Strife (Proverbs 20:3)
Sometimes the wisest response is to disengage from an argument rather than continue feeding it.

Biblical Example: Jesus often refused to engage in fruitless arguments with those who were determined to oppose Him, demonstrating wisdom in His responses (Matthew 27:12-14).

CONCLUSION

God has called us to peace. This calling should influence the way we respond to disagreements, treat difficult people, communicate with our families, relate to fellow believers, and handle opposition. Peace does not mean surrendering truth or tolerating wrongdoing; it means pursuing God's will without allowing bitterness, anger, pride, or revenge to control us.

Let us therefore become carriers of the peace of Christ. Let our homes become peaceful homes, our churches become places of unity, and our relationships become channels of reconciliation. Wherever God has placed us, may people encounter the evidence of His peace through our words, attitudes, decisions, and conduct.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, let Your peace rule in my heart, home, relationships, and ministry, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, deliver me from anger, bitterness, strife, pride, and every attitude that destroys peace, in Jesus name.

3. Father, give me grace to become a true peacemaker wherever You have placed me, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, teach me to control my tongue and speak words that bring healing and reconciliation, in Jesus name.

5. Father, give me wisdom to handle difficult people and challenging situations peacefully, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, restore peace to every troubled relationship and every family experiencing conflict, in Jesus name.

7. Father, preserve the unity and peace of Your church and deliver us from division and unnecessary strife, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, give me grace to forgive quickly and release every desire for revenge, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let Your peace prevail over every situation that is producing anxiety, tension, conflict, or confusion in my life, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, make my life an instrument of peace and reconciliation, and let everything I do bring glory to Your name, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. The peace of God shall rule in your heart, and every storm of confusion, anxiety, and unnecessary conflict shall be brought under divine control.

2. You shall become a carrier of peace, and your presence shall bring calmness and reconciliation into difficult situations.

3. Every prolonged conflict within your family shall receive divine intervention, and God shall open doors for understanding and restoration.

4. The Lord shall give you wisdom to know when to speak, when to listen, when to forgive, and when to withdraw from unnecessary strife.

5. Your words shall not become weapons of destruction; God shall make your tongue an instrument of healing, wisdom, and encouragement.

6. Every root of bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness in your heart shall be uprooted, and the peace of Christ shall fill your life.

7. The Lord shall preserve unity in your family, church, ministry, and relationships, and every scheme of division shall fail.

8. Where there has been misunderstanding, the Lord shall release clarity; where there has been hostility, He shall release peace; and where there has been separation, He shall make a way for reconciliation where His will permits.

9. You shall not be controlled by the conflicts around you. The peace of Christ shall give you stability, wisdom, and victory.

10. You are blessed as a peacemaker, and through your life many people shall experience the love, grace, wisdom, and reconciling power of Jesus Christ.